Martha Diaz
Martha Diaz Fine Art
Martha Diaz is a San Francisco–based artist whose work is inspired by the California coast and the natural world. From childhood, she dreamed of being an artist, but her path first led to a career in healthcare and raising a family. When her children grew older, she returned to her passion, studying with well-known artists through classes, workshops, and mentorships.
A significant part of her practice is plein air painting—creating directly on location. Whether along the cliffs and beaches of the coast or in nearby parks and trails, Martha finds inspiration in the immediacy of painting outdoors, where light and atmosphere change moment by moment. These experiences often serve as the foundation for her studio paintings, which expand on her plein air studies with expressive interpretations.
Martha’s paintings reflect both observation and emotion. Through color, light, and movement, she strives to capture more than a scene, inviting viewers into an intimate connection with nature that resonates on a deeply emotional level.
In addition to her painting practice, Martha teaches art classes that nurture creativity at all levels and welcomes commissions, collaborating with clients to create meaningful, one-of-a-kind works. Her art is both a celebration of nature and an invitation to connect more deeply with it.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Juror — San Mateo County Fair | 2023–2026. Served as a juror for the Fine Arts competition.
Exhibition Organizer & Curator | 2023–2025
Curated and organized Local Light (2025) and Grow (2024 ,plein air/fine art exhibitions
Art Instructor
Teaches art classes for students of varied experience levels, encouraging creative exploration and development of individual artistic voice.
Commissioned Artist | 2018–present
Original commissioned paintings and collaborative artwork; most recent projects work include a CD cover and two art pieces for a poetry book cover.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Oil Painters of America • California Art Club • American Impressionist Society • Society of West Coast Artists • Coastal Arts League • Laguna Plein Air Painters Association • Atelier for Healing Gallery • Siy Gallery
SELECTED AWARDS
- Honorable Mention — California Dreamin', Coastal Arts League, 2026
- Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category, Mendocino Open Paint Out, 2025
- Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category, Mendocino Open Paint Out, 2024
- Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category, Mendocino Open Paint Out, 2023
- Honorable Mention — Coastal Arts League Gallery | July 30–August 28, 2023
- Second Place Award — Juried Plein Air Show, Coastal Arts League, 2023
- Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category, Mendocino Open Paint Out, 2022
- Merit Award — Juried Art Exhibit, Coastal Arts League Gallery | April 2021
- Second Place Award — Comfort and Gratitude, California Art Club, 2021
- First Place Award & People’s Choice Award “Evening Glow”— Society of Western Artists, 2021
- First Place Award & People’s Choice Award — “Morning View” 71st Annual Juried Exhibition, Society of Western Artists, 2021
- People’s Choice Award — Coastal Arts League Members Show, 2021
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS, FESTIVALS & AWARDS
2026
Common Bonds
Atelier for Healing Gallery | August 20–September 27, 2026
Sausalito Landscape Festival
Sausalito Art Center | August 5–27, 2026
California Dreamin'
Coastal Arts League | July 30–August 31, 2026
Honorable Mention Award
Les Fleurs
Atelier for Healing Gallery | June 20–August 31, 2026
Coastal Arts CafeĢ — Solo Exhibition
Atelier for Healing Gallery | April 19–May 20, 2026
We Are America
Atelier for Healing Gallery | March 20–May 31, 2026
The Muse Collective
Atelier for Healing Gallery | March 14–April 4, 2026
2025
Mendocino Open Paint Out
Mendocino Art Center | September 8–14, 2025
Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category
20th Frank Bette Plein Air Paint out
Frank Bette Center for the Arts | August 2–September 28, 2025
A Sense of Place — Plein Air Exhibition
Coastal Arts League | July 24–August 31, 2025
Peninsula Outdoor Plein Air Painters
Annual Group Plein Air Exhibition | September 3–28, 2025
New Beginnings — Group Exhibition
Atelier for Healing Gallery | March 1–April 30, 2025
2024
Mendocino Open Paint Out
Mendocino Art Center | September 16–24, 2024
Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category
Grow — Fine Art Exhibition
Peninsula Outdoor Painters | September 3–30, 2024
Organized exhibition
Canopy: The Sheltering Trees
Sanchez Art Center | February 23–March 24, 2024
California Arts League | November 30, 2023–January 28, 2024
Annual Members Show
2023
LPAPA’s 3rd Annual Show
Juried Art Gallery Exhibition | Dec. 01–Jan. 2, 2023
Mendocino Open Paint Out
Mendocino Art Center | September 18–23, 2023
Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category
18th Frank Bette Plein Air Paint out
Frank Bette Center for the Arts | August 12–October 1, 2023
Capitola Plein Air 8th Art Festival | October 30–November 3, 2023
Plein Air Competition and Exhibition
Framing the Light — Group Exhibition
Peninsula Outdoor Painters | October 1–28, 2023
Coastal Arts League Gallery | July 30–August 28, 2023
Seasons of Beauty, Plein Air Show-Second Place Award
Seasons — Plein Air Exhibition
Peninsula Outdoor Plein Air Painters | April 3–30, 2023
LPAPA’s 19th Annual Juried Show
Best of Plein Air | February 28, 2023
California Art Club: California Dreaming
California Art Club | Jan. 19–March 11, 2023
Juried Exhibition
2022
Half Moon Bay Plein Air Painters
En Plein Air 7 | Nov. 2 – Dec. 17, 2022
Peninsula Outdoor Plein Air Painters
Annual Group Plein Air Exhibition | October 1–30, 2022
17th Annual Frank Bette Plein Air Paint Out
Juried Exhibition | August 12–October 1, 2022
California Art Club Biennale: Celebrating California
Juried Exhibition | September 23–October 29, 2022
Mendocino Open Paint Out
Mendocino Art Center | September 19–25, 2022
Honorable Mention — Oil Paint Category
California Art Club
Juried Exhibit: Celebrating California Biennale | Sep 23–Oct. 29, 2022
Burlingame Plein Air Painters
Annual Members Show | September 14–October 16, 2022
Half Moon Bay Plein Air Painters
En Plein Air 6 | July 28–August 28, 2022
LPAPA (Laguna Plein Air Painters Association)
Juried Exhibit: 18th Annual LPAPA Best of Plein Air | February 28–April 4, 2022
AIS 2022 Associate Members Exhibition
American Impressionist Society | April 30, 2022
2021
California Art Club
Second Place Award
Comfort and Gratitude: Excellence in Traditional Fine Art Competition | Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 2021
Society of Western Artists | September 1–October 1, 2021
First Place Award & People’s Choice Award
71st Annual Juried Exhibition
Society of Western Artists | June 2021
First Place Award & People’s Choice Award
CAL 2021 Members Show
Coastal Arts League Gallery | November 11–December 6, 2021
People’s Choice Award
Oil Painters of America
Online Showcase Gallery | May 2021
Associate Artist Members Show
Society of Western Artists | July–August 2021
Mendocino Open Paint Out
Mendocino Art Center | September 24–26, 2021
Society of West-Coast Artists | November 17–December 31, 2021
Contemporary Art Show
